HOW TO START YOUR OWNSTREETS KITCHEN

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THERE ARE ALMOST THREE TIMES AS MANY ROUGH SLEEPERS IN THE UK TODAY AS THERE WERE IN 2010

Streets Kitchen is at the heart of a nationwide network of grassroots groups dedicated to standing in solidarity with the homeless.

Along with our partners, Streets Kitchen provides and facilitates hot food and drinks, clothes, medical care, veterinary care, as well as advice, support and community outreach at around ten locations across London. Our group’s members are on the street every night of the week.

We also run a free cafe and shop, as well as workshops, clinics and drop-in sessions at our Solidarity Centre in Holloway.

But when we started out, we were just a small group of volunteers, cooking out of our kitchens, standing out on Camden High Street one night a week. It’s that easy! Here’s how to do it yourself.

SOLIDARITY NOT

CHARITY

ARE YOU AS UPSET AS WE ARE BY THIS EPIDEMIC OF HOMELESSNESS? WANT TO START A STREET KITCHEN OF YOUR OWN? HERE’S HOW:

ARE YOU AS UPSET AS WE ARE BY THIS EPIDEMIC OF HOMELESSNESS? WANT TO START A STREET KITCHEN OF YOUR OWN? HERE’S HOW:

1: VOLUNTEERSGo out and find some like-minded people willing to commit their time - they’re out there!

2: FOODAlmost all the food we cookis donated to us. Who in yourarea could help you? Cafés, supermarkets, restaurants and market traders are all worth asking - get creative!

Try these too:

planzheroes.orgfareshare.org.uk

thefelixproject.orgcityharvest.org.uk

3: COOKING EQUIPMENTYou’re going to need big pots and pans, as well as serving equipment, cutlery and plates (recyclable/compostable only please!). Get in touch with us @streetskitchen and we can give you some gear to get you started!

3: COOKING EQUIPMENT

4: LOCATION

Take your time to get to know your local area, and put some thought into where might be a good location for your Streets Kitchen.

There are plenty of factors to account for: Be visible, but not too exposed to the elements, and somewhere where your guests will be able to feel relaxed.

5: LOCAL SUPPORT

Get thinking: who could provide free second-hand clothes or organise a donation drive? What about housing or benefits advice? Streets Kitchen and RCK can help advise you on getting some flyers printed, and StreetVet are always looking for new locations!

7PM

6: RELIABILITY The most important thing you can do to grow your Streets Kitchen is to be where you said you’d be, when you said you’d be there. Every week. Earn your community’s trust by making yourselves a local fixture.

Speak with your local homeless community, they’ll know the best locations for you to set up.

7: KEEP IT FUN, BUILD RELATIONSHIPS AND BE ACCEPTING

KEEP IT FUN, BUILD RELATIONSHIPS AND BE ACCEPTING

YOU’LL SOON SEE FOR YOURSELF: KINDNESS TO STRANGERS IS WHERE REAL COMMUNITY BEGINS!

Life on the streets is difficult and people are complicated, so do your best to always be positive and accepting, and to welcome people. Good music is a great place to start.

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Printed by Newspaper Clubnewspaperclub.comPrinted on 52gsm recycled newsprint

BROUGHT TO YOU BY STREETS KITCHEN IN PARTNERSHIP WITH :

Streets Kitchenwww.streetskitchen.org@streetskitchen

StreetVetwww.streetvet.co.uk@streetvetuk

RCKwww.refugeecommunitykitchen.com@refugeeckitchenbit.ly/rcklondonReg. Charity No. 1099682